[Anabolic-catabolic balance in depression: an effect of coaxil]

Correlation between anabolic and catabolic process in terms of neuroendocrine changes in depression has been studied before and after coaxil therapy. The index of catabolic processes was cortisol blood level and that of anabolic processes--dehydroepiandrosterone (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, DHEA-S) level. The total of 39 patients of middle age were studied: 25 of the study group treated with coaxil (37.5 mg/day during 4 weeks) and 14 of the comparison group treated with sertraline (50 mg/day during 4 weeks). A mean level of cortisol was higher than normal one in patients with depression. Coaxil and sertraline decreased the mean cortisol level, no significant differences being found between these drugs. There was negative correlation between the DHEA-S level and severity of depression before the treatment. Unlike sertraline, coaxil caused an increase of this parameter in patients with decreased DHEA-S level. The ratio cortisol/ DHEA-S decreased during the treatment with either coaxil or sertraline but in the former case it was more pronounced (p = 0.003). The authors considered the data obtained in the aspect of concept of allostasis--the ability of the organism to achieve changes (stress reaction).